Abortions and Stillbirths in Dairy Herds

Abstract

There are numerous causes and consequences of stillbirths and abortions in cows and heifers. Causes may include infectious, nutritional or hormonal factors or it may be multi factorial. The consequences also vary depending on the value of the animal and how frequent stillbirths occur on a particular farm. Dairy cows that experience a stillbirth or abortion may develop post calving reproduction problems, depending on the initial cause. However, frequently stillbirths go undiagnosed on a farm until it becomes a predominant issue.